Belmont Beacon
MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 - JULY 20, 2014
belmontbeacon.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 11
Immigration crisis: Obama requests billions, Sexual assault suspect but does not offer potential solution by Jennifer schlueter arrested; additional victims sought
March for immigrant rights. -Photo by Erika Paz
According to the Department of Homeland Security, 57,000 Central American children, mostly from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, have crossed the US boarder since October. This number is twice as high as the number of the same period from the previous year and ten times as high as the number of 2009. The children that survive the dangerous journey are fleeing from poverty and crime in their countries, hoping to have a better
life here, or to reunite with parts of their family who are already in the US. Some parents send their children because they believe rumors that their kids will be allowed to stay in the US once they crossed the border. In 2008, former President George W. Bush signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act – a law to fight child/sex trafficking. Whereas Mexicans or Canadians are simply sent back across the border,
this bill grants Central American kids a court hearing to determine whether they are allowed to stay or not. Due to the enormous number of immigrants, and thus, court cases, the children often have to wait years on the decision – years that they spend in processing facilities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Some children do not even show up in court. Two weeks ago, protestors in
over event is anything more than an isolated incident.” The testing was important to determine that a skunk variant of rabies, which is only noted in Northern California, has not been re-introduced to Southern California where it has not been seen since 1979. Continued vigilance in testing wildlife that is ill or exhibit-
Long Beach and Signal Hill Police arrested a male suspect in connection with two sexual assault cases and it is believed that additional victims may exist. On June 29, 2014, around 11:30 p.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to an alley in the area of Del Amo and Long Beach Bo Long Beach and Signal Hill Police arrested a male suspect in connection with two sexual assault cases and it is believed that additional victims may exist. On June 29, 2014, around 11:30 p.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to an alley in the area of Del Amo and Long Beach Boulevards and found a 31-year-old victim who had been beaten and sexually assaulted. It appeared the suspect followed the victim from a nearby bus depot prior to the assault. Long Beach Fire Department transported the
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First rabid skunk in LA County since 1979 confirmed to be rabies variant carried by bats The California Department of Public Health confirmed today that the rabid skunk found last week in Long Beach was infected with a rabies virus variant from the Mexican-free-tailed bat. While bats in the area have tested positive for rabies in past years, this was the first confirmed case of rabies in a skunk in Los Angeles County since 1979. Mexican-free-tailed bats are very common in Southern California,
and are the species of bats that most commonly carry rabies in the state. Bat-to-mammal transmission is not uncommon, and the rabid skunk likely had an encounter with a bat infected with rabies. “This is the time of year that we might see more bat rabies, and potentially spillover to terrestrial mammals,” said City Health Officer Dr. Mitchell Kushner. “We do not anticipate that this spill-
Raymond D. Howard -Courtesy Photo
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‘Bombshell Bandidt’ sought by FBI Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are seeking the public’s assistance in learning the identity and whereabouts of a female bank robbery suspect nicknamed the Bombshell Bandit, based on the bomb threat she made during the robbery, coupled with what witnesses described as a glamorous disguise, including a wig and large sunglasses. The Bombshell Bandit robbed the Bank of the West, located at 27011 McBean Parkway in Valencia. During the robbery, the Bombshell Bandit passed a note demanding cash and in which she threatened that a bomb would detonate if the teller did not comply with her demands. The Bombshell Bandit was also seen by witnesses
casing additional area banks on the day of the robbery and was last seen leaving the Bank of the West on foot. Victim witnesses said the suspect appeared to wearing a wig; auburn or brown in color, but that her natural hair appeared to be black. The unidentified female suspect was described broadly in terms of ethnic background, to include either white, Hispanic, Indian or of Middle Eastern descent. She was further described as 20-25 years old, 5’3″ and approximately 125 lbs. Anyone with information about the Bombshell Bandit should contact investigators with the LASD or the FBI, or dial 911. Additional information about bank robbers wanted in southern Calfornia can be found at www. labankrobbers.org.
Additional sexual assault victims sought Continued from page 1
victim to a local hospital. During their investigation, detectives obtained a photo of a possible suspect and learned Signal Hill Police Department was investigating a sexual assault incident with similar suspect description. In both cases, investigators believed the suspect used a handgun to assault the victims. Long Beach Police detectives and North Division Patrol officers worked closely to identify the suspect. Long Beach Sex Crimes Detail and Vice Detail detectives with Signal Hill Police detectives served a search warrant on July 3, 2014, and arrested 20-year-old Raymond Demetrius Howard of Long Beach at his residence. On July 8, 2014, Long Beach and Signal Hill Police detectives presented their cases to the Los Angeles Dis-
trict Attorney’s office for filing consideration. The District Attorney’s Office filed charges of assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, attempted human trafficking, robbery, criminal threats, rape, and other sexual assault related charges. Howard is currently being held on $5,650,000 bail. Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have never contacted police. If you have been a victim of an unreported crime or have any information regarding the incident, please contact Long Beach Police Sex Crimes Detective Luis Galvan at (562) 570-6407. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
Immigration crisis Continued from page 1
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
Murietta attempted to block migrant children and families from entering processing facilities. The Obama administration requested $3.7 billion last Tuesday to increase the number of border patrol official, judges, and detention centers, and to improve the living conditions of the refugee children while waiting on their hearings. Obama is asking for the money; however, has not provided a suggestion on what will happen with the immigrants or how/if he will prevent future
immigration. Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers says that the White House will not approve Obama’s request: “It’s too much money.” He adds: “There are pieces of it that need to be dealt with immediately and that’s what we’re working on.” Democrat Rep. Luis Gutierrez declares: “I plan to support the president’s budget request but we must make sure that we do not short-circuit justice for the children. They get their day in court as the law mandates.”
Rabid skunk Continued from page 1
ing unusual behavior is still recommended. Anyone noticing obviously ill wildlife or unusual symptoms by animals should contact Animal Care Services at 562.570.7387. The Health Department and staff from Animal Care Services remind residents that they should not try to cap-
ture or trap wildlife, and that all domestic pets should receive their scheduled rabies vaccine to prevent pets and humans from getting rabies from other animals. For more information on rabies, call Long Beach Animal Care Services at 562.570.7387.
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Alhambra PRESS
Baldwin Park
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All-American Soap Box Derby comes to Long Beach Racers to compete for 'The Queen's Cup' August 23/24 at the Queen Mary The granddaddy of all inertia motor-sports – The All-American Soap Box Derby - makes its formal Long Beach racing debut, August 23/24 alongside the Queen Mary. A special track will be installed adjacent to the ship and is designed to propel young racers. The gravity-fueled cars will run in several classes, including a novice class reserved for first-time competitors. “Walk the pits of any major racing event and you’re likely to meet a former Soap Box Derby racer. The same can be said of the automakers and automotive specialty parts industry - where many innovators and executives first sat behind the wheel of a soap box car,” said Queen Mary GM, John Jenkins. “With Long Beach hosting the Grand Prix each year, we thought it was time to create a family-oriented racing event; what better than soap box racing?” The August 23/24 racing meet will attract already proven Soap Box competitors, first time builderracers and youngsters from area clubs and associations. All entrants are welcome and there is no cost for first time racers to compete. “Our goal is to test the concept of hosting a major Soap Box race at the Queen Mary. The August race will tell us something about how to create a race event that might be scheduled to coincide with the annual Long Beach Grand Prix weekend,” Jenkins added. The Soap Box Derby came to public attention as the Great Depression ravaged the country. Many competitors were newspaper boys and sponsored by their local paper. Some qualified to race at Akron where the Derby World Championships are still held each year. The Queen’s Cup event will see points awarded to those racers already on the Derby trail and hoping to make the trip to Akron for the big race. Just as important
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will be the opportunity for other first-time drivers to experience what it’s like to compete in a racing car. Each driver will attend a pre-race clinic, be provided with a helmet and introduced to their machine as it sits atop an elevated platform. When the two-car raceway is set the starter will release the both cars - gravity does the rest and will launch the competitors towards the checkered flag. “In the early days of the LBGP the Queen Mary hosted many social events, accommodated the famous racing drivers of the time, and was central to visitors’ overall Long Beach experience. The Queen’s Cup Derby will return some of that motor-sports magic to the ship - although quieter and serving a younger audience - we expect great racing and great fun for all those entering and watching
as soap box derby racing comes to Long Beach,” Jenkins concluded. For more information and schedule of events, visit http:// www.Queenmary.com/derby or call (877) 342-0738. The AASBD is a youth gravity racing program for boys and girls ages 8 through 17 years old which has run nationally since 1934. The goals of the program have not changed since it began - to teach youngsters the basic skills of workmanship, perseverance and the spirit of competition. World Championship finals are held in July of every year for both Rally and Local champions at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. ? Complete Derby information can be found on the All-American Soap Box Derby website at www. aasbd.com.
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Registered nurses applaud Cal/OSHA's adoption of stronger safe patient handling regulations Regulators also grant RN's petition to establish healthcare workplace violence prevention standards
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted Thursday to adopt new regulations on safe patient handling that are designed to protect registered nurses and other healthcare workers from patient handling injuries and to provide patients with safe and appropriate care. The board also granted a petition, submitted by the California Nurses Association, requesting that the Cal/OSHA Standards Board establish standards for violence prevention in healthcare workplaces. The safe patient handling regulations were developed over the past year to enforce CNA-sponsored Assembly Bill 1136, the Hospital Patient and Health Care Worker Injury Protection Act. Registered nurses affiliated with CNA took an active role in advocating for the new regulations, testifying at Cal/OSHA hearings on the serious and ongoing nature of inadequate training and equipment for safe patient handling in hospitals throughout the state. Each year, thousands of RNs suffer back and musculoskeletal injuries while providing care in California hospitals. Many RNs are forced out of
their occupation due to the severity of their injuries. The new regulations require hospital employers to have staff and equipment available at all times to assist with patient mobilization. The regulations also require hospitals and clinics to provide comprehensive training on safe patient handling and to include registered nurses and other healthcare workers in the development and evaluation of patient handling policy. The regulations also recognize registered nurses as the coordinators of care in relationship to safe patient handling. "We are so pleased that the board has adopted safe patient handling regulations that so faithfully reflect the language and intent of our sponsored legislation, AB 1136. These regulations will provide protections for RNs, other healthcare workers, and patients and will ensure that healthcare workers are appropriately trained and involved in making and revising policy. They also require that lift equipment is available and operable, and that adequate staff is available to provide lift assistance without neglecting other patient care
Joe Polk and nurse -Photo by Terry Miller
duties," said Deborah Burger, CNA Co-President. "This is a historic regulation that will prevent many thousands of RNs and other healthcare workers from crippling musculoskeletal injuries and disability, and will help us mobilize our patients safely," said Burger, an RN at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Santa Rosa. "My hospital was recently cited for violating many of the provisions these regulations will address. I look forward to a day where patients and healthcare workers are mobilized in ways that ensure the safety of everyone," said Michele Mueller, an RN at the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The Cal/OSHA Standards Board also granted CNA's petition requesting that the board establish a workplace violence prevention standard. The standard would clarify and strengthen requirements for prevention and protection of all healthcare workers employed by general acute care hospitals including inpatient and outpatient settings and clinics under the same hospital license. Violence in healthcare settings has been an area of concern for CNA for many years, as the risk or workplace
is a serious occupational hazard for RNs and other healthcare workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a worker in healthcare and social assistance is nearly 5 times more likely to be the victim of a nonfatal assault than the average worker in all other major industries combined. Nearly 75% of these violent acts were assaults by patients in a healthcare facility. CNA is also pursuing legislation to address the issue of workplace violence. Earlier this week, the Assembly Health Committee passed a CNA sponsored bill, SB 1299 (Padilla), the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act, which passed the full Senate last month. "We are thrilled that Cal/ Osha has granted our petition and that we the nurses are leading the charge to make hospitals safe environments for healing, rather than the shockingly violent places they are now. Whether we succeed through the legislative or regulatory process, registered nurses will not rest until our healthcare facilities protect patients, visitors, and staff from violent incidents," said Karen Boxley, an RN at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, CA.